Krista Loughton, director of Us and Them — a Canadian documentary about homelessness — will be in Niagara on Friday for a public screening of the film.

The screening will take place at Brock University’s David S. Howes Theatre on Friday at 7 p.m.

Mary-Beth Raddon, a Brock sociology professor, who is responsible for the event, said she was originally interested in showing the film to her class, but after getting in touch with Loughton about acquiring a screening license, she found out the filmmaker would be in Ontario in February and arranged the public event.

“At a time when Canada is in the midst of both a housing and opioid crisis, this documentary has never been more relevant,” said Raddon.

Us and Them was written and directed by Loughton and award-winning filmmaker Jennifer Abbott. The documentary was filmed over the course of a decade, and documents Loughton befriending four chronically homeless people in an effort to help them heal their lives.

Brock will be the first university to present the film, joining national efforts to raise awareness about homelessness and addiction.

Loughton will also participate in a question-and-answer session with the audience.